What about the people who have never heard?
Since sin entered theworld, things have not been right. The result has been that people are separated from God, from each other, and even from themselves. We see the results of sin affecting every relationship. The classic “Seven Deadly Sins” (pride, lust, anger, greed, gluttony, envy, and sloth) have distorted the world in which God has intended for us to live. Sin is portrayed in the Bible as being independent of God. Sin is striking out on our own (The Prodigal Son in Luke 15) in defiance of any authority. Sin can also be staying home (The Elder Brother in Luke 15) with hatred in our hearts. Romans 3 concludes that ALL have sinned by outward manifestations (Romans 1:18ff) or by pride and hypocrisy (Romans 2).
God has created us with free will. If we were robots programmed to do as God intends, we would never be able to truly love. God is sovereign, yet when our choices collide with God’s perfect will for our lives, suffering results.
Why do we suffer, then? It is a consequence of sin. Sometimes we suffer from our own sin, but sometimes we suffer because of others. The ultimate consequence of sin is death (Romans 5:12 “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned…”). Most all suffering can be traced to this.
Sometimes, however, there is not an easy explanation. What has a baby done (or a parent) to warrant suffering? There is a sense of injustice about this that is hard to take and even harder to explain. In these matters, I say that I will never know the answer. I have also learned that it is very helpful at some point to switch questions. Instead of asking, “WHY did this happen?” a better question may be, “HOW are we going to get through this?” Instead of placing blame, we move on with life. We often find ourselves in situations not of our choosing, and often not of our own making. It is at these moments we have to switch gears and ask, “What do I need to do to get on with the rest of my life?” When people ask this question they create momentum and comfort others.
We do not believe it is God who causes tragedies to occur. Yes, God COULD stop the impact of every drunk driver by temporarily suspending the law of gravity, but that would cause innumerable problems elsewhere. It would also mean that we never have to grow up.
In spite of the fact that bad things happen to good people, we believe that “all things will work together for good.” Finishing Romans 8:28 is important: “for all who love God and are called according to His purpose.” I cannot tell you “WHY?” as much as I can tell you “WHO” is going to help us and “HOW” we are going to make it work to the glory of God.
- Dr. Tom Harrison
